CruiseInn comes back for the 3rd year in a row making stops in Santorini, Chania, Rhodes, Mykonos, Smyrna and Cesme. Code it like a Girl talked to 3 of its past participants and asked them how they experienced the most technology-friendly cruise, that lasts 7 days and offers a prize of 3.500 euros to the winning team in order to build their startup. Not bad at all, am I right!? ??
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Elizabeth Averkiadi, Computer Science student at The American College of Greece (Deree)
Elizabeth is a senior CS student and web developer interested in chatbots and AI. She took part in last October’s CruiseInn about Gastronomy.
It was an unforgettable experience and I have never heard about another hackathon happening on a cruise!! – Elizabeth Averkiadi
CLG: Elizabeth, which factors affected your decision to apply to CruiseInn;
Ε.Α.: The reason why I decided to participate in CruiseInn was the innovative way in which the hackathon was designed. It takes place on a cruise, during which you and your team are dedicated at the subject of Tourism or Gastronomy and have the opportunity to build a related product. What is more, it is possible to use whichever source of inspiration and information you wish to. Another reason why I wanted to take part was to meet people of a similar mindset, who are keen on the fast growing field of startups.
CLG: How was the vibe on the cruise?
Ε.Α.: Healthy competition was prevalent on the cruise. Everyone was full of energy, ready to lead their team to the victory but also willing to have fun.
CLG: Three things you gained from this experience?
Ε.Α.: One of the most considerable things I gained from this experience was the importance of synergy within the team. It is crucial for a team to have a collaborative and helpful spirit; each member making up for the other’s shortcomings. I learned that effort never goes to waste. Finally, I understood how important fun is. We worked relentlessly with my team in order to build a first prototype of our idea, but at the same time we had fun through breaks to sunbathe or explore some of the islands. All these contributed a lot to our teamwork and our rest as well.
CLG: Why do you think that applying to CruiseInn is important?
Ε.Α.: CruiseInn has a lot to offer to male and female programmers. You will have the chance to work with people of different expertise and thus grasp the bigger picture of programs. The skills you will develop thanks to this experience will additionally be helpful to your future career. Eventually, it was an unforgettable experience and I have never heard about another hackathon happening on a cruise!
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Matina Prigkou, Architectural Engineer
Matina, besides being an architect, is an amateur graphic designer and participant of the first CruiseInn that took place in June 2015.
CLG: Matina, why did you decide to participate in the first CruiseInn?
M.P.: First of all, I found the whole idea of a startup competition combined with a cruise very innovative. The concept of working while traveling and continuously changing perceptions was what motivated me to apply. Moreover, since I recently had participated in another startup competition, I wanted to live again the experience and meet new people with drive and abundant creativity!
CLG: What would you say about the vibe on the cruise/competition?
Μ.P.: The mood was sociable and cooperative. The most important is that regardless of everyone’s individual goals and expectations, all the teams eventually presented a very nice result, which we all enjoyed a lot.
CLG: Three things you gained from the experience?
Μ.P.: Many friends. Knowledge different than that of my background. Networking.
It is inconceivable what you might experience during this cruise; from just making new friends to finding your future business partners for a project you already have in mind! – Matina Prigkou
CLG: What would you say to those considering applying to the next CruiseInn?
Μ.P.: I believe that participating in CruiseInn 2017 besides knowledge will offer to its participants a life experience. It is inconceivable what you might experience during this cruise; from just making new friends to finding your future business partners for a project you already have in mind! Whichever of the above it is, you should try to enjoy it and benefit as much as you can from this journey!
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Konstantina Makridaki, CRM consultant at Cognity
Konstantina Makridaki is a Computer Science graduate from the AUEB and took part in CruiseInn of May 2016 while she was still a student. That CruiseInn session’s subject was Tourism and Culture.
CLG: Konstantina, which reasons led to your participation in CruiseInn?
K.M.: I wanted to learn more about the applications of culture to technology and entrepreneurship and combine this know-how with a journey to many places.
CLG: How did you find the vibe on the cruise?
K.M.: The mood was mainly friendly on the cruise. There was of course some competition among participants, too.
CLG: What would you say you gained from this experience?
Κ.Μ.: CruiseInn was my first professional connection with the entrepreneurial/technical world. It was a chance to spot the market’s demands, but also my shortcomings in order to “conquer” these demands. After the end of the cruise, I started working more effectively on those.
CruiseInn was my first professional connection with the entrepreneurial/technical world. It was a chance to spot the market’s demands, but also my shortcomings in order to “conquer” these demands. – Konstantina Makridaki
CLG: Why is it important for a woman to join this year’s CruiseInn?
K.M.: It is essential for a woman to participate in CruiseInn 2017 because it constitutes a life journey. You discover new places, new partners and possible friends but also new possibilities of yourself, which you might did not know to have until then.
CLG: Thank you very much Elizabeth, Matina and Konstantina for everything you shared with us and good luck to your future plans!
CruiseInn, a unique entrepreneurial experience and co-production of ThinkBiz and Celestyal Cruises, comes back on June 23-29 and is inviting students, recent graduates and young professionals, 18 to 30 years old, to create their own startup in the fields of Tourism, Oenogastronomy and Maritime.
CruiseInn is the first startup hackathon in Greece taking place aboard an actual cruise ship. In total, 35 participants will have the chance to put their startup ideas or programming, designing, and business skills to the test in order to prototype innovative business ideas. During the cruise, teams will be offered rigorous hands-on training on basic business and marketing concepts, and they will be guided by experienced mentors in refining their ideas. In 7 days they will be asked to develop an MVP of their product and present it in front of a jury of experts. The 3 winning teams will receive business prizes from CruiseInn partners, while the prize for the first team is a 3,500 euros award from Celestyal Cruises, in order to transform their idea to a startup.
This summer we suggest you put your technical skills and academic knowledge to test outside of the class and work on a business idea while sailing to exceptional destinations of the Aegean. If that sounds like the ideal way of spending your summer, go ahead and apply to join CruiseInn by clicking here.
Code It Like a Girl joins CruiseInn as a Community Partner.